Report: Wisconsin football coach takes Arkansas job

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema has agreed to become the new coach at Arkansas.

Bielema will sign a multi-year contract soon, according to the person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the school had not yet made an official announcement.

It's not known if Bielema will coach for Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl against Stanford.

The move was the second stunning hire at Arkansas, which brought in John L. Smith after firing Bobby Petrino earlier this year after a scandal in which Petrino hired his mistress to work in the football department.

Arkansas was 21-5 the last two seasons, but went 4-8 this season under Smith. Athletic director Jeff Long announced after the season that Smith would not return. Bielema was 68-24 in seven seasons at Wisconsin, including an 8-5 mark this season.